Spencer Gallagher's Debut at Martinsville Cut Short

Making his 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut, Spencer Gallagher, driver of the No. 23 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing, finished in the 32nd position in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Gallagher ran consistently inside the top-25 and was continuing his march through the field, when another competitor made contact with the rookie, ending his day just shy of halfway.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Gallagher after the accident. “We just got turned in the middle of the straightaway, but before that our Allegiant Travel Chevrolet was doing pretty good. Our lap times were consistent with the top-10 trucks and every time I would get a little bit of clear track, I would walk right up to the next group in front of me.”

After rain washed out qualifying and postponed the race until Sunday evening, Gallagher started the 250-lap event from the 25th position. During the first 30 laps, Gallagher showed patience and logged consistent laps to gain experience around the Virginia short track. As a caution was displayed on lap 35, Crew Chief Ryan ‘Pickle’ London called Gallagher to pit road for four tires, fuel, and minor adjustments to help with the tightness in the center of the corner.

Restarting inside the top-25 on lap 41, Gallagher steadily passed competitors and was knocking on the door of 20th-place by lap 92. The 24-year-old radioed to London that the Allegiant Travel Chevrolet needed better rotation in the center and under caution on lap 94, Gallagher returned to pit road for four fresh tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment.

Gallagher held position inside the top-20 as the field restarted on lap 98. Less than 30 laps later, another competitor made contact with Gallagher’s right rear, sending the No. 23 Chevrolet Silverado into the safer barrier. The damage was too much to repair, forcing the team to end their day early. Gallagher finished in 32nd-place.

The focus for Gallagher and his No. 23 GMS Racing team now shifts back to the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, where the Allegiant Travel Chevrolet will race at Salem (Ind.) Speedway on Sunday, April 27. Gallagher’s next Truck Series race will come when the series heads to Kansas Speedway in May.

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